Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said on Monday that a China-based firm has proposed to build an electric (e)-vehicle manufacturing plant in this city.
“Big companies have been expressing interest to invest in the Philippines. One of those companies has already identified Bacolod as their place of operations,” Benitez announced the development in a press briefing held at the Government Center.
The mayor said he discussed the proposal with the officials of Jiangsu Fengchuen New Energy Power Technology Co. Ltd. in China when he joined the Philippine delegation during the state visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Beijing last week.
“They will come here. In fact, they already have representatives who have initially come here. They are opening an e-vehicle plant here in Bacolod. It’s a collaboration between a Chinese company and a Korean company,” he added.
The company’s officials, he said, will visit the city next month to discuss details regarding the planned investment.
Also, Benitez said he met with the officials of China Railway, who have expressed interest in building a bridge and other infrastructure projects in Bacolod and Negros Occidental.
In terms of tourism, the local government official said he has informed Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco that he wants Bacolod included in the planning for the possible Philippine destinations of Chinese visitors.
“We’re also looking at food tourism. We’re expected to meet again with Secretary Frasco to lay down our plans for food tourism,” he added. (PNA)